I rarely write reviews but felt it was necessary after the painful experience my family and I endured. I booked the property a few months ago and had briefly communicated with the owner and everything was all good. Literally 4 hours before I am heading to the airport the owner WhatApp messaged me and said can’t stay at the property. Imagine my concern for a vacation we have been planning for over a year and I am about to head to airport without a place to stay. I called the owner and he confirms that due to new wiring required we can move in Monday (instead of Friday). I tell him it’s critical that can move-in Monday and he guarantees that no problem. So we find a quick place to stay (not in ideal location and price is so much higher at this stage - we really couldn’t find much as already sold out). The one positive is owner offers free transportation for the trouble. So I exchange messages and he confirms should be good Monday. Then on Sunday morning there is no messages or anything and just a full refund. Mind it again I don’t have a place starting next day and the place staying wasn’t ideal location or clean. The owner ruined our vacation and was a complete fraud. He shouldn’t be allowed to list on VRBO and I do not recommend anyone book through him. Such a nightmare we had to endure. Complete lies from the owner and will never book with him or VRBO again.

Our host, Ahmet, was super helpful and communicative from the day I first messaged him to enquire about the property. The day we arrived, he sent a taxi to meet us at the airport, he met us at the property, helped us carry our luggage up, showed us around and then took us for a short walk outside to point out the bank, grocery store, good restaurants, directions, etc. He answered messages in a timely manner and even had AC installed while we were staying. The property itself is in a fabulous location, very close to Istiklal Street, public transportation and the ferry terminal. There were restaurants, cafes and shops everywhere nearby. A few doors up is a small store, Balyan Tekel, where you can get water (then you don't have to carry it far), alcohol and snacks. The owner, Gobmen, and his son, Koan (speaks really good English) even helped us explain to taxi cab drivers where we wanted to go and arranged early morning transportation back to the airport for us. The apartment is large and was very clean when we arrived. It had a large living area, large kitchen and three good sized bedrooms. Having two bathrooms was a plus. Ahmet provided towels and sheets, toilet paper, hand soap, dish soap and laundry detergent. There were spices, etc in the kitchen and the kitchen appeared to be fully stocked with dishes, cutlery and pots (we only had breakfast and snacks at the apartment). We stayed for two weeks at the apartment and we were very happy with our stay. My husband and son were both "working from home" and there was plenty of room for both to have working space. The WIFI was good for holding meetings, etc. I would absolutely return to this property and it was a pleasure to meet and work with Ahmet!

The apartment is very comfortable - although using the stove (required a lighter) and washer took some effort. The location is very near the metro, so once we figured out the tram/metro system, we were quickly able to get to where we wanted. We would definitely come back! As advertised, the stairs were an effort - but became easier every day. Exactly as expected. Be sure to collect small bills (less than 50 TRY) if you want to buy metro/tram tickets. Ticket machine did not accept large bills or credit cards which meant we were not able to use the metro/trams early in our trip.

The apartment is very comfortable - although using the stove (required a lighter) and washer took some effort. The location is very near the metro, so once we figured out the tram/metro system, we were quickly able to get to where we wanted. We would definitely come back! As advertised, the stairs were an effort - but became easier every day. Exactly as expected. Be sure to collect small bills (less than 50 TRY) if you want to buy metro/tram tickets. Ticket machine did not accept large bills or credit cards which meant we were not able to use the metro/trams early in our trip.